Iran’s Ghaleh Nasseri collects silver in Rio 2016 Paralympics

Iranian Paralympic discus thrower Alireza Ghaleh Nasseri poses with his silver medal at the end of men’s discus throw F54/55/56 competitions of the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 10, 2016.

Iran’s Paralympic discus thrower Alireza Ghaleh Nasseri has won a silver medal at the athletics competitions of the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On Saturday, the 25-year-old Iranian sportsman participated in the men’s discus throw F54/55/56 category competitions at the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange stadium in a Rio neighborhood, registering a throw of 44.04 meters to snatch the silver medal.

The bronze went to Cuba’s Leonardo Diaz with a throw of 43.58 meters in his final attempt.

“This was my first appearance in an official international tournament, and I’m happy with my performance; even though I had managed to record a throw of 47.60 meters while training for the Paralympics,” Ghaleh Nasseri said after the contest.

Iranian Paralympic discus thrower Alireza Ghaleh Nasseri vies for a medal at the men’s discus throw F54/55/56 competitions of the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 10, 2016.

He added, “It was a tough competition, with strong contenders from Brazil and Cuba in attendance. I did not expect to earn a medal. I dedicate it to the Iranian nation.”

The athletics competitions at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games started on September 8, and will run through September 18.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s National Paralympic Committee has dispatched a 111-strong delegation, dubbed Mina Caravan, to the 12-day sporting event. Iranian sportsmen and women are in action in 12 different fields.

Iranian athletes have already taken home three medals - one gold and two silvers - putting the Islamic Republic in the 27th slot of the medal count table so far.

China is on the top of the medal count table with 69 (26 gold, 24 silver, 19 bronze).

Great Britain is second with 35 medals (15 gold, 8 silver, 12 bronze), and Ukraine is third with a total of 37 medals (12 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze).

The United States, Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany, Uzbekistan, Tunisia and Mexico occupy the 4th to 10th places, respectively.